Have you ever experienced waiting in a long queue at the immigration? Or, have you had trouble in locating your hotel, getting a taxi and arranging your trip to a foreign country? I must say that it is very unlikely to happen in Bhutan. FYI, you don’t have to rush to get off the plane as you land for the immigration. In all honesty, there aren’t thousands of tourists at the same time at the airport, so what’s the rush?
However, as soon as you land at Paro International Airport in Bhutan, you will notice a huge change in the atmosphere. Of course, it is terrifying to land in a valley surrounded by mountains; given the fact, it is one of the dangerous airports in the world. Yet, I promise you that it will be the only terrifying experience throughout the trip. Hopefully, by the time you are on your way back, you will definitely fall in love with the mountains and valleys.
Importantly, you need to know about Bhutan, its people and the culture before your visit. People are helpful and friendly making it as one of the tourist-friendly countries to visit. Nevertheless, tourists who are not respectful of the culture, tradition and the environment of Bhutan are not entertained. Period. Selling of tobacco and smoking at public places are banned. Taking pictures inside any fortresses and monuments are not allowed. And, fishing is illegal.
On a positive note, you can go for trekking, river rafting, camping, biking, getting an aerial view from a helicopter, visiting fortresses, shopping and simply enjoying the nature. Bhutan is a land-locked country, so you can not expect beaches for surfing. If you are an adventurer, Bhutan is one of the best destinations to ease your soul.
Where is Bhutan?
The Kingdom of Bhutan, the Land of Thunder Dragon is located between two giant countries namely China and India (No wonder people can’t find Bhutan). It is a constitutional monarchy, and at the present, it is ruled by our Royal Highness the Fifth Druk Gyalpo His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. All the Bhutanese love their country and the King, the father of Bhutan and its people. The current Prime Minister is Lotay Tshering.
Bhutan is the only country which is carbon negative and more than 70% forest coverage. According to Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), “Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.” Bhutan measures its Gross National Happiness (GNH), and it has been identified as more important than country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Bhutan opened its door to tourists in 1983, and now, its population is around 807,610 (World Bank, 2017). The people are called Bhutanese, and the national language is Dzongkha. Dzongkha? What language is that? Please, do not fret. In Bhutan, everything is both in English and Dzongkha. The education system is entirely in English apart from Dzongkha. And, no, it has never been colonised. Majority of population can speak and communicate in English. So, you can strike out Google Translator off the list.
It is amazing that Bhutan doesn’t have a shopping mall and traffic lights, but it has boutiques, restaurants with international cuisine, fancy coffee shops, marts, markets, entertainment hubs and squares. Noticeably, tourists have been attracted to festivals, culture, Bhutanese food and drinks and national attires apart from the pristine nature.
So, it is never too late to start planning for your trip to Bhutan. The best time to visit Bhutan is during Spring and Autumn because you don’t want to ruin your trip if you visit during the monsoon season and harsh winter. There are many places to visit once you’re in Bhutan. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan is a hub for all the festivals, national celebrations and entertainment. You can definitely check out some fancy restaurants, bars and night clubs. Also, you can visit several viewpoints and botanical gardens. There are 20 districts to visit in Bhutan, so you can take your time to plan your trip.
How to get there?
For regional tourists, if you want to travel by road, you can simply travel into Bhutan through Phuntsholing, the industrial district in the southern region. The regional tourists are mainly from India, Maldives and Bangladesh, and they do not require a visa to visit Bhutan. However, they will require a permit/pass. If you want to travel without a tour operator, you have to carry all your important documents including your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and few passport sized photographs. When you enter Phuntsholing, you have to visit the Regional Head Department and Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) to apply for a permit/pass provided you have your itinerary with you. The process might take a day or two. On the other hand, it is easier to process for a permit through a licensed tour operator in Bhutan. But, this must be prior to your arrival in Bhutan. Unlike international tourists, the regional tourists have the flexibility to use public transportation or even drive your own car. So, you need to register your car or motorbikes at RSTA again with all the required documents of your vehicle viz. driving license, registration documents, insurance and PUC. Remember, you are travelling into a country which nurtures nature.
For international tourists, you can fly to Bhutan from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai. There are two carriers, and they are Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. I must say it is impossible to “plan the trip by yourself and just book the tickets on sky scanner.” Unfortunately, it’s the truth. You have to register with a licensed Bhutanese tour operator and ask them for all the details you will need to plan your trip. You can prepare your itinerary, and let them know about it. They can even help you suggest options and recommendations. It is best to travel in groups of 3 - 4 since there are discounts on the tariff.
Yes! It is USD 250 per day for each individual visiting Bhutan. You will be provided with the best services from where you stay to what you eat and where you go. It is very unusual for backpackers to follow such routine because they want to visit places in Bhutan which they would like to visit and travel like the locals do. But, why do you want to trouble yourself when you have to pay the same amount? You can totally be involved in making your trip with your tour agency. The public transportation in Bhutan are bus and taxi. Majority of Bhutanese have their own transportation, and I wouldn’t suggest you to have your own transportation since there are no traffic lights.
Normally, people only stay for about two weeks. When you pay a lump sum amount to the tour agency, it is deposited to TCB’s government bank account, and it is not released to the agency until they review the feedback from the tourists and the quality of their services. Plus, USD 65 of your payment goes to the government as a Sustainable Development Fee for free education and health care to all the Bhutanese.
For tourists who are invited by a Bhutanese, you guys are lucky. You are exempted from the daily tariff to visit Bhutan, and your duration can be for a month. Isn’t this unbelievable?
First of all, a Bhutanese can invite two international guests in a year provided that the person has been abroad and met the respective guests. The host has to be in Bhutan while inviting the guests. In order to convince your relationship with the host, you will be asked for documents showing that you have travelled together outside Bhutan for at least six months.
Secondly, you can not travel to Bhutan on a Personal Guest Visa more than once a year. You will be asked to present your visa approval letter once you land in Bhutan. Apparently, you will have to pay USD 40 for your visa unless your host can pay for you. Wouldn’t it be nice?
Then, after you get the approval letter from the Immigration Department of Bhutan, you can present a print copy of it at the counter before you board your flight. Most importantly, you and your host need to plan your trip together and fill up forms for visa and approval. It’s basically the same process for every personal guest visa of all the countries. It is required to provide the itinerary with confirmed return flight tickets.
You can visit various websites on visiting Bhutan, and I have also mentioned few of them below for your interest.
I’ve found this information helpful for regional tourists. The international tourists can also check information on wiring the tour money to respective bank accounts prior to your arrival in Bhutan: http://www.bhutantourinformation.com/travel-information/guide-to-regional-tourist
To check tour operators and email them directly: https://www.tourism.gov.bt/tour-operators
To check your charter packages for Heli-scenic tour and Heli-Biking tour: https://rbhsl.bt/rbhslweb/public/#
Download the Personal Guest Application form: http://www.mohca.gov.bt/forms/16pgform.pdf
